Mark 16:1-8 – “And when the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. 7 “But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He said to you.'” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.”  NASB

Happy Resurrection Celebration Day!  In my decades on planet earth, I have learned that it is easy to get into a rut. It is easy to do things in a predetermined mode becoming guilty of doing out of habit rather than with purpose.  We are frequently reminded of the various holidays through commercialization.  Each season seems to have its own gimmick or channel through with men can make merchandise on the event and largely turn our hearts from the intended purpose of the celebration.  Some people do certain things on Christmas, Mother’s Day, etc. out of habit giving little to no thought of what those days truly mean.

Today, we come face to face with one of the greatest events in human history – The Resurrection of the Messiah!  From the time of his fall until now the devil has attempted to destroy our Messiah and our Hope.  He has used every tool and device conceivable in his attempt to stop the progress and implementation of God’s Redemptive Plan. 

In the Garden, he sought to destroy what God had created and steal from it the innocence and perfection.  His attempt was thwarted by God and the Promise was given that the devil would only be able to inflict a nagging heel wound to Christ, but Jesus would deal a crushing head blow to him. In Israel, the devil attempted to stop the line through which the Messiah would come only to find that God would raise a champion to lead them through to victory. 

Here, the disciples had been hoping that Jesus, the Messiah, had come and was going to set up His earthly kingdom.  They anticipated the overthrow of the Roman government and the implementation of the Kingdom of God on Earth.  Now, the devil has moved again, and Jesus has been crucified.  All the Hope of the Human Race hung on the Cross and now lay in a tomb dead.  Fear, disappointment, and despair were gripping their hearts.  There was no sunshine in their dark world and hopelessness was gripping their hearts. 

Then it happened! Heaven’s Sunshine broke through the clouds of gloom.  Jesus was no longer in the grasp of death.  He Has Risen!  He had risen as Conqueror.  He is Alive!  Hope is restored!  Jesus had come as man for man and lived a sinless life, died a sacrificial death as the payment for man’s sin.  Now that He has risen it means that the sacrifice was accepted, liberty from sin’s bondage is assured, and eternal life is not ours!  The Easter Bunny didn’t leave the prize egg, Jesus purchased our redemption and has risen to assure us of life!

Christ’s Rising Was the Resurrection of Hope.  He was Who He said He was! He did What He said He would do!  They knew that the sacrifice was complete and His words “It Is Finished” had new meaning.  He was truly Messiah.  He did hold the Key of Life.  He could do all things.  He would fulfill all His Promises.  Hope replaced despair for the Door had been unlocked and there was they were basking in the Light of the Son as the heavenly sunshine broke through their clouds of gloom.

Christ’s Rising Was the Resurrection of Courage.  Rather than hiding in fear, gripped with timidity they were now emboldened and became powerhouses for the Kingdom.  They had a Risen Savior whom Death could not hold.  The Door had been Unlocked!  He is Alive!

Christ’s Rising Was the Resurrection of Religious Activity.  Not dead formalism that is powerless, but an infusion of God’s Love and Power was coursing through their beings.  They could now point to the Empty Tomb and the assurance of Life.  They were Commissioned to Go to the Entire World. They were Empowered to Go to the Entire World.  They were assured that we have a High Priest standing before the Throne of Heaven making intercession for us.

This Event, the Resurrection of Jesus is the Unlocking of the Door of Redemption, Access to God without a human mediator, and the Church had been enabled to become the Body of Christ in this World.  The Door Has Been Unlocked – HE IS ALIVE!

May the LORD of Heaven encourage your hearts this wonderful Resurrection Day and may you never lose sight of what it means! 

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!